Wine & Spirit Education Trust

The big daddy of them all, the British wine trade's professional educational body now runs courses at a variety of levels for 44,000 students in over 50 different countries and 16 languages. Many non professionals now take the courses too. The WSET Diploma exam is virtually a pre-requisite for the Master of Wine course (see below). WSET is headquartered in an airy building near Borough Market/London Bridge station.

Institute of Masters of Wine

This is the highest academic calling for wine amateurs in every sense and wine professionals such as wine merchants (as opposed to winemakers and vine growers, who may prefer to take specific degrees in those subjects). Only a few hundred people, from all over the world, have qualified for those coveted initials since the Institute's beginnings in 1953. Courses and exams are held in the UK, US and Australia, with Germany in the pipeline. Search this site for 'MW diary' to read Richard Hemming's account of studying for this qualification, including details of examination questions.

Offers a Masters in Wine Technology and Viticulture. Below Masters level they offer a Grad Diploma and Grad Certificate in Wine Technology and Viticulture. There are also single undergraduate subjects available, which run in the summer semester or winter semester.

Bordeaux University / ISVV

The Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin runs very high-powered, full, residential academic courses in both the production and appreciation of wine. An ability to speak French is virtually a prerequisite.

Kedge Business School (formerly BEM-Bordeaux Management School)

The KEDGE Wine and Spirits MBA had been running for 12 years and, in my experience, attracts a high level of candidates whose study takes them around the world of wine. BEM say the Wine MBA is 'designed to provide empowerment through management education for wine industry leaders facing a complex wine business environment. It aims to offer an in-depth knowledge of management fundamentals and of both traditional and newer markets, to develop participants' leadership skills in an intercultural environment, and to help them analyze and solve complex business issues.' The programme is part time and takes 22 months, with six sessions of two weeks each in Bordeaux, London, and Adelaide. Contact Hervé Remaud, Academic Director.

Plumpton College

Wine courses were established at Plumpton in 1998. The only undergraduate courses on Wine Production and Wine Business in English in Europe. Principally supporting the UK wine trade and production industry, but graduates find work all over the world. Facilities include eight hectares of commercial vineyards, a purpose-built wine centre with teaching rooms, labs, commercial winery and sensory evaluation room, and as of November 2013, the UK Wine Research Centre, incorporating the Rathfinny Research Winery. Set to offer the UK's first MSc in Viticulture and Oenology from autumn 2014.

Sonoma State University

Sonoma State was the first university in the United States to offer an undergraduate degree in wine business (since 1998), a Wine MBA (since 2008), and most recently an Executive Wine MBA (since 2012). In addition to the degree programs in wine business, the university offers a number of wine business seminars and certificate programs at its campus in California. The campus programs are supplemented by an online program in Wine Business Management serving students in over a dozen countries. Contact Jessica Heing.

​Johnson & Wales University, College of Culinary Arts

Johnson & Wales University offers both a Sommelier minor and Beverage Service Management concentration for matriculating students in Food Service Management as well as Food Entrepreneurship degree programs. They are currently proposing a major for Beverage Management and Sommelier Management degree. Accredited to offer consumers and trade professionals WSET and SWE courses of study for certifications.

The Bouilland Symposia

The Bouilland Symposia, of 4-5 days' duration, take place three times a year in Burgundy. They are limited to a maximum of ten participants and are designed to educate both professionals and amateurs. Allen Meadows presides over a single village appellation Master Class, the Jasper Morris Symposium consists of an overview of Burgundy. There are winemaker dinners, visits to domaines and geological walks with Françoise Vannier-Petit. Tutored tastings and winemaker dinners are held at the home of Becky Wasserman-Hone, and Russell Hone. Lodging: in the village of Bouilland at the local hotel or in apartments. A website is currently being designed.

Chêne Bleu Extreme Wine

This week-long intensive course at the Chêne Bleu estate in Provence combines the WSET Level 2 Certificate with their own Food and Wine Pairing Certificate. Designed and tutored by Master of Wine Clive Barlow, it includes far more tasting (and far more top-notch wines) than other similar courses - about 100 wines in total. It's set in beautiful and luxurious surroundings but also allows students to get hands-on experience in the vineyard and winery. Dates for 2015 are 20-26 June for Extreme Wine and 5-11 September for Beyond Extreme (including WSET Level 3).

L'École du Vin de France

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Paris, L'École du Vin caters for some 15,000 students a year. Courses and programs include WSET Levels 1, 2 & 3 which are offered in Paris, Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg.

French Wine Adventures

French Wine Adventures is based at Terroir Feely, an organic and biodynamic estate one hour from Bordeaux city and offers WSET Level 2 plus custom courses on wine and food pairing, French wine and winemaking and on organic and biodynamic wine growing, production and certification.

Berrys' Wine School

Venerable St James’s Street merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd, in London SW1, was awarded Wine Educator of the Year award at the 2012 International Wine Challenge. Their Wine School courses are friendly, fun and informative; students benefit from the company’s 316 years of wine expertise and the experience of their knowledgeable teaching staff, including eight Masters of Wine.

Birmingham Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in the Birmingham region. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. Office address follows; see website for venue details.

Cambridgeshire Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Cambridge. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Devon Wine School

The UK's only residential wine school, with five Visit England 5* Gold Award bedrooms, set in rolling countryside within 25 minutes of Exeter. The school is run by Alastair Peebles MW and his wife Carol and offers a range of fun, informal tasting lunches and dinners and corporate events, as well as WSET courses at Intermediate and Advanced levels. Alastair also mentors Master of Wine students.

East London Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in the City and East London. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Level 2 & Level 3 Awards. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Enjoy Discovering Wine

Erica Dent - WSET's 2013 Educator of the Year - teaches WSET qualification courses Levels 1 to 3 for the WSET’s flagship School in London. Her company, EDW, runs WSET courses at venues across the south from Dorset to East Sussex, such as Bournemouth, Southampton, Winchester, and Brighton Universities. EDW also runs bespoke in-house WSET training for hospitality businesses.

Hampshire Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Southampton and Winchester. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Hertfordshire Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in St Albans and Harpenden. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Level 1 & Level 2 Awards. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Lancashire Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Preston and Blackpool. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. (Another franchise of the rapidly expanding Newcastle Wine School.)

London Wine Academy

Consumer wine courses at various levels, featuring one-day workshops as well as evening courses over several weeks. Covers general introductions and more specialist areas, at a variety of venues around London.

Manchester Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Manchester. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. (Another franchise of the rapidly expanding Newcastle Wine School.)

Michael Schuster Wine

Popular range of particularly practical courses at many levels held by Michael Schuster, mostly early evenings, at Bordeaux Index in Farringdon, London. His courses are reputedly more fun than most and cover a wider range of wines than the auction houses, which tend to concentrate on the finest, most traditional. Michael also runs pre-exam MW student courses.

Newcastle Wine School

An independent and rapidly expanding wine education company running courses and tastings in Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Leeds. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Foundation and Intermediate levels and plan to expand this to other locations in the form of franchises (see above).

Private Cellar

Private Cellar has launched a six-part wine course tutored by Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW with places limited to just ten people. It takes the form of a round-table discussion and debate is encouraged. Contact Laura Taylor.

Roberson Wine School

Based in Kensington High St in west London, Roberson Wine have for some time been running excellent tutored and walk-around tastings. They now have a wine school which offers a number of educational courses including a four-session 'Introduction to Wine' alongside a number of advanced specialist tutorials and workshops. Maximum class size 20 students. Their stated aim is to 'take a young, modern and innovative approach to wine education that incorporates the knowledge and enthusiasm of the Roberson team with the relaxed atmosphere and absence of wine snobbery that has made the tasting events so successful'.

RS Wine Academy

Run by acclaimed master sommelier Ronan Sayburn, the RS Wine Academy offers training for trade and public, WSET 2 and 3 courses, and masterclasses in anything from food and wine matching, how to taste wines, and more technical subjects such as wine faults. He also organises and runs bespoke corporate events.

School of Wine

The School of Wine is a brand-new Manchester wine-tasting school, opened by Kate Goodman (of the BBC's Food and Drink tv show) and Ian Dogherty. Based in Manchester, they run informal, relaxed and friendly wine tastings across a range of different types of wine, Masterclasses, and corporate events. WSET qualifications will follow soon. The aim of the School is to make wine-tasting more accessible, informal and above all fun!

The Spectator Wine Club

Run an 8-part wine course in the boardroom of The Spectator offices. Each session is led by a different supplier to The Spectator Wine Club, including established merchants such as Berry Bros. & Rudd and Corney & Barrow.

Surrey Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Guildford and Dorking. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network. Office address below; see website for venue details.

Sussex Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Sussex and Kent. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Level 2 & Level 3 Awards. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network. Office address below; see website for venue details.

West London Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in West London. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Intermediate & Advanced levels. Set up as a franchise by the same company as the Newcastle Wine School and run by the former WSET training person at First Quench.

The Wine Academy

Based in York, but operating on a national basis, with other training centres in Harrogate and Leeds, The Wine Academy is now one of the biggest wine education companies in the country, and was awarded the Wine Educator of 2011 by the WSET. In 2008 they opened a satellite wine school in Bordeaux at the request of a French Agricultural College to teach their mainly French and Chinese winemaking students about New World wines. The teaching staff are all WSET Certified Educators. The academy runs everything from WSET courses to corporate events to fun wine tastings and workshops.

UK Sommelier Association

One of the only accredited sommelier courses in the north of England, based in Leeds, and offering a programme of study designed for those working in the industry, but also very accessible for members of the public. Founded in 2011 by Professional Sommelier Michele Muccilli, it is a member of the WSA (Worldwide Sommelier Association), directly affiliated and partnered with the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS), and its certifications are recognised in over 70 countries worldwide. Course range from four days to 14 weeks.

Yorkshire Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses and tastings in Leeds, York and Harrogate. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Level 2 & Level 3 Awards. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Escuela de Sommeliers del Caribe

The only WSET APP in the Dominican Republic, ESCaribe offers WSET levels 1 & 2 together with their own Professional Sommelier Programme. It has also launched an online study platform for distance learning. Contact Cecilia Gadea.

L'École du Vin de France

L'École du Vin de France was founded in 2003 in Paris and has been delivering classes since 2010 in Hong Kong and Asia. Courses are offered in English, Mandarin or Cantonese and include EDV 1 (a six-hour program) and monthly workshops which take place throughout the year. The school also offers wine tasting events for company meetings, dinners and seminars in Hong Kong, Macao, China and Taiwan.

Capital Wine School

Founded by Jay Youmans MW, Capital Wine School run WSET programs Levels 1-3 as well as the Level 4 Diploma. In addition, they offer a number of other courses and classes from organizations such as the Society of Wine Educators, The French Wine Society and the Guild of Sommeliers.

Harriet Lembeck's Wine & Spirits Program

Long-established 10-week evening course held in 18th century NY townhouse on 29th at 3rd. With a certificate at the end for those who pass blind tasting. Also single-topic New School University Wine Classes held at the same venue.

Neptune School of Wine

Est. 2002 in Southern California, Neptune School of Wine offers WSET courses (including the Level 4 Diploma) as well as the French Wine Scholar program overseen by Master Sommelier Peter Neptune. Orange and San Diego counties.

San Francisco Wine School

Run by David Glancy, Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator. The school provides professional wine studies including French Wine Scholar (FWS), Society of Wine Educators’ programs (SWE), California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) and much more.

Society of Wine Educators

The American counterpart of Britain's Association of Wine Educators (see above). Although there is no formal minimum qualification for its members, this is a good way of tracking down wine expertise in your area. The society also organises tours of wine regions.

The Wine School of Philadelphia

Founded in 2001 by Keith Wallace, The Wine School offers classes and certification courses for everything from wine basics to advanced diploma programs. You can also go to learn about beer, food pairing, cookery and spirits. Courses are apparently booked out well in advance.

Lothian Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Edinburgh. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Glasgow Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Glasgow. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Clifton Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Bristol and Bath. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Cheshire Mersey Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Chester & Liverpool. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Notts Derby Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Nottingham & Derby. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Oxford Chelt Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Oxford & Cheltenham. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they will also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

North London Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Hampstead/Belsize Park. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

South London Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Greenwich & across South London. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.

Essex Wine School

An independent wine education company running courses, tastings & corporate wine events in Chelmsford & Colchester. For people who enjoy wine and want to learn more in a relaxed and friendly style. Tastings to suit all levels of knowledge from beginner to advanced. As well as the more informal courses, they also offer WSET Courses. A member of the www.localwineschool.com network.